The Brocken, Harz National Park, Germany Mar. 7, 2026

The Brocken, Harz National Park, Germany

Imagine reaching the Brocken in Harz National Park, Germany, as clouds slide across the ridge. With the sun behind you, mist ahead—then a giant, haloed shadow forms. Ever wondered why climbers once feared this sight? The phenomenon, called the Brocken spectre, is an eerie natural optical effect that occurs when sunlight projects a person"s shadow onto cloud or fog. Rising about 1,141 metres, the Brocken is the highest peak in northern Germany and has long inspired folklore, including tales of witches gathering here during Walpurgis Night.

© imageBROKER/AVTG/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Winter at Valley Forge
Mar. 7, 2024Roques de Benet, Els Ports Natural Park, Catalonia, Spain
Mar. 7, 2025Plum blossoms, China

More Desktop Wallpapers:

The butterfly effect
Hangin around
Look, but don’t touch
Sep. 9, 2024Iguazu Falls at the border of Argentina and Brazil
Mar. 31, 2025Ostuni, Apulia, Italy
Positively purple peaks
Bright blue lakes and rugged mountains
Whos in this creepy copse?
Sanctuary among the trees
May 6, 2025An ultralight aircraft flying over the sands of Namibia
A glimpse of Yoho National Park
Mesmerising glass pyramids
Dec. 13, 2025Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California, United States
Apr. 18, 2025International Day for Monuments and Sites
Sep. 8, 2024International Literacy Day
Sep. 26, 2025Least chipmunk, Kootenai National Forest, Montana, United States
Jul. 29, 2024International Tiger Day
Celebrating the Scottish bard
A legend sprung from the ground
Paddle power
History awaits atop the hill
Nov. 10, 2025Badlands National Park, South Dakota, United States
You otter check this out
Jan. 17, 2024Bavarian Forest National Park, Germany
Apr. 25, 2025World Penguin Day
Jan. 15, 2026The fishing village of Reine, Norway
Apr. 30, 2025International Jazz Day
Nov. 11, 2023Young Peak, British Columbia
Jul. 17, 2025Lavender fields in Plateau de Valensole, France
Apr. 2, 2024Beech trees and anemone wildflowers, Jutland, Denmark